Using homemade cocktail syrup can bring fresh, new flavor to mixed drinks, but an expert cautions you to avoid one key ...

Whether you're pouring the sweet, sticky liquid on top of pancakes or using it in coffees and cocktails, a brown sugar syrup ...

What's more, because it is essentially sugar water, you can store it like a simple syrup for a few weeks in the fridge if you make a big batch. If you want to knock the flavor up a notch ...

So when boiling apple cider, it is easy to cross the line from making syrup to making jelly (though other factors come into play as well). My point is this: pay attention at the end of the process.

Grease this again on the inside on the base and sides to aid easy release ... sponge will become tough). Pour the syrup mixture into the prepared tin and make sure it has evenly spread out.